Bird Walk at Viva Wetlands, Virar, Maharashtra

About Viva Wetlands

Nestled just outside Virar in Maharashtra’s vibrant Vasai-Virar region, Viva Wetlands is an unassuming but ecologically rich wetland oasis that delights nature lovers and birdwatchers alike. While precise measurements of its area aren’t widely documented, this mosaic of marshes, shallow lakes, grasslands, and scrub forms part of the larger network of coastal wetlands that fringe the northern reaches of the Mumbai metropolitan region. The habitats here are shaped by seasonal water levels and monsoon pulses, supporting a tapestry of aquatic plants, sedges, grasses and wetland vegetation that provide food and shelter for a remarkable variety of life. In the water and along its edges, dragonflies dart and frogs chorus at dusk, while the grasslands beyond ripple with larks and pipits in the gentle breeze — a lively stage set for wildlife throughout the year.

For birding enthusiasts, Viva Wetlands is an ever-changing spectacle. The mix of open water and marsh attracts waterfowl and waders — from jacanas and moorhens to sandpipers and plovers — especially during the migratory seasons, while grassland and scrub habitats host munias, pipits, larks, prinias and raptors overhead. Local birding groups often record an impressive variety of species here, making early mornings walkable adventures filled with calls, colors, and flight displays. However, like many urban-proximate wetlands, Viva faces mounting threats from habitat loss, encroachment, pollution, and disturbance as development pressures and land-use change nibble at its edges. Conservationists and birders alike emphasize the importance of protecting these wetlands — not just as bird habitats but as natural sponges and biodiversity hotspots — through awareness, responsible tourism, and community stewardship to ensure that the songs of its feathered residents continue to echo for generations to come.

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Viva Wetlands

Viva Wetlands in Virar is a paradise for bird enthusiasts, with its shallow waters, marshes, and mudflats supporting an impressive diversity of wetland and migratory birds—over 254 species recorded so far. Calm stretches of water host Lesser Whistling-Duck, Eurasian Coot, Eurasian Moorhen, Gray-headed Swamphen, and White-breasted Waterhen, while dense reedbeds conceal secretive gems like Spotted Crake, Ruddy-breasted Crake, and Baillon’s Crake. The open mudflats come alive with winter visitors such as Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Little Stint, Common, Green and Wood Sandpipers, Common Greenshank, and striking plovers including Pacific Golden-Plover, Black-bellied Plover, and Little Ringed Plover. Overhead, Little Swifts and Asian Palm Swifts slice through the sky, while nearby scrub and trees shelter birds like the Greater Coucal and Gray-bellied Cuckoo. Familiar residents such as Rock Pigeon and the ever-alert Red-wattled Lapwing add to the scene, and seasonal appearances by Black-headed Gulls lend a coastal touch. Together, this rich mix of waterbirds, waders, and terrestrial species makes Viva Wetlands one of the most exciting urban birding hotspots along the northern Mumbai coast.